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The guys at Powerline think one of the two major papers from my home state, the Star Tribune is "getting an early start on the age of Obama" by firing Katherine Kersten, the conservative columnist/reporter this week.  I read Kersten regularly when I lived in MN, and still read her occasionally even though I've moved. She's a solid reporter and writes with a clear, persuasive--though virtually lone--conservative point of view.

Despite the fact that they fired the more liberal--err independent-minded--Nick Coleman this week as well, I tend to agree with Powerline.

Despite the apparent symmetry, the termination of Kersten's column is something else entirely. Her voice plays a crucial role in the state. She speaks for many in Minnesota who now are voiceless in the mainstream media. I have seen her speak before several audiences whose members testified that she was the sole reason they hadn't cancelled their subscriptions. Unlike Coleman's mindless left-wing pap, Kersten's perspective is otherwise absent from the Star Tribune.

She has also broken major stories in her column...[and] Kersten has introduced a culturally conservative perspective to the paper...

Eric Black, a former reporter for the Strib is equally disappointed in both of his friends getting the ax.  He says reasons are financial and also, political.

But here's the deal. Being interesting isn't enough, but being dull can't possibly be the answer. If you're going to do down anyway, go down trying to be interesting.

Coleman and Kersten were more likely than most to be interesting at least once a week or so, and controversial, which is a form of interesting. They stirred the pot. They made people mad. They didn't play it safe.

It's sad, but not surprising. The Strib couldn't be more liberal if George Soros paid them too. Given her talent and expertise, I'm sure Kersten will find gainful employment elsewhere.  As for the Strib I think they'll find the 'age of Obama' isn't as enlightening as they'd hoped.